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Man gets probation for attacking gardener Nathan Arthur Hammel Friday Dec 2, 2016 at 4:57 PM Dec 2, 2016 at 4:57 PM Nick Morgan Mail Tribune @mtcrimebeat A homeless man was sentenced to probation Friday for attacking a gardener who woke him up while he was sleeping on the balcony of an Ashland business earlier this summer. A jury found Nathan Arthur Hammel, 36, guilty of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault Wednesday for the attack on landscaper Ellis Wadley in June. Hammel was awakened by the leaf blower while sleeping on the second story balcony of DotComJungle at 33 N. First St. Hammel had faced a felony assault charge in the case, but the jury convicted him only of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault, determining that Hammel acted violently toward Wadley, but the extent of the attack was unclear. For instance, Wadley had alleged Hammel swung a dog leash at him, causing a laceration near his eyebrow, while Hammel denied he ever used a leash as a weapon. During the sentencing hearing, Wadley said he was bothered that he could have lost an eye, but said he hoped Hammel could find a way off the streets and handle himself better in the future. "I do want to better myself," Hammel said. "Please, forgive me." Donald Scales, Hammel's court-appointed defense attorney, said his client has long lived a transient lifestyle, starting after he was placed in foster care at the age of 8. Scales said his client doesn't have any substance-abuse issues, but he does face emotional problems. Hammel also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor escape and disorderly conduct charges from a May 19 incident in which he fled an Ashland police officer contacting Hammel about having his dog in Lithia Park, then later flailed his arms while resisting arrest. Hammel apologized for his actions during that incident. "It's hard to deal with all my emotions by myself," Hammel said. Circuit Court Judge Patricia Crain granted Scales' request to sentence Hammel to 11 months of bench probation and 60 days in jail with credit for time served, allowing Hammel to be released. He plans to move to Yreka, California, where he has a job opportunity working at a Papa Murphy's pizza shop and a place to stay. Scales said he was going to give Hammel a bus ticket to travel to Northern California. — Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat.